Fish and Wildlife Service

Description

Physaria (Lesquerella) congesta, Dudley Bluffs bladderpod and P. obcordata, Dudley Bluffs twinpod are both known generally from the Piceance Creek Basin of Rio Blanco County in Colorado (all occurrences are within a rectangle spanning 27 miles east to west and 17 miles north to south). Threats to the species are increasing dramatically and are expected to continue at an accelerated pace because of natural gas drilling and potential oil shale development. Conserving rare species requires an understanding of the biology of the species to be conserved. Genetics studies are thought to be crucial to the success in long-term management of any species. Conservation genetic studies are aimed at gaining an understanding of the level and distribution of genetic variation within a species of conservation concern. It has been established through empirical and theoretical studies that levels of genetic diversity are strongly correlated with evolutionary potential. Populations with higher levels of genetic diversity are more likely to be able to withstand changing conditions and tend to have a higher reproductive output. In contrast, populations with less genetic diversity are less able to adapt to environmental changes, less able to defend against herbivores or resist pathogens, and less able to survive catastrophic events. In addition, small populations with low genetic diversity may suffer from genetic drift resulting in lower than average survival of individuals. With this understanding, genetic variability can be used to guide management and recovery efforts through the assessment of which populations contain the highest levels of diversity or are unique relative to other populations and hence will warrant conservation priority. If introduction or reintroduction efforts are to be conducted, the risk of genetically contaminating existing populations or creating reintroduction sites with impoverished genetic material is a possibility such that the plants are not able to adapt to their environment. Understanding the genetic diversity levels across populations for these two Physaria species will provide better direction for management and could enhance the likelihood for successful restoration.

Who can apply

• Others

Contact

Andrea Meyer <br/>Contract Specialist <br/>
andrea_meyer@fws.gov